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E06414: A letter of Pope Gregory the Great (Register 11.5) of 600, to Adeodata, a noblewoman, refers to her request for unspecified relics. Written in Latin in Rome.
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posted on 2018-09-11, 00:00 authored by francesPope Gregory the Great, Register of Letters 11.5
Full text of the letter:
GREGORIVS ADEODATAE ILLVSTRI FEMINAE
Ut moram in dandis reliquiis, quas gloria uestra petit, faceremus, non uoluntate distulimus, sed praecedentis rei nos casus fecit ambigere. Deus autem omnipotens cordis uestri deuotionem intuens miraculorum signis admonentibus a uestra uos intentione fraudari non pertulit. Sed ideo desiderium uestrum modica uoluit dilatione differri, ut docentibus miraculis et amor uobis cresceret in ueneratione sanctorum et maior fieret exsultatio gaudiorum. Quia ergo in effectu postulate rei gloriae uestrae uota completa sunt, hortamur ut, cuius praedicatores colitis, eius sollicite mandata seruetis et, sicut religiosa deuotione terrena sanctorum honoribus loca construitis, sic quoque cum eis mansionem uobis procurare in caelestibus festinetis, quatenus et hic illos in omnibus adiutores et in futura mereamini habere uita consortes.
‘Gregory to Adeodata, illustris woman
That there was a delay in giving you the relics that your Glory seeks, did not happen willingly, but the occurrence of an earlier matter made us hesitate. But almighty God looked down on the devotion of your heart, and with the warning signs of miracles, He did not allow you to be cheated of your intention. But you wanted to put off your wish with a moderate delay, for the purpose that, as the miracles are evident, your love might grow in the veneration of the saints and exultation of your joys might become greater. And so, since the prayers of your Glory have been fulfilled in the outcome of the matter as requested, we exhort you to observe carefully the commandments of God, whose priests you cherish. Just as with religious devotion you construct earthly places to honour the saints, so also you hasten to look for a dwelling for yourself with them in Heaven, so that you may deserve to have them as your helpers in all things here, and as your partners in future life.’
Text: Norberg 1982, vol. 2, 866. Translation: Martyn 2004, vol. 3, 741, lightly modified.
Full text of the letter:
GREGORIVS ADEODATAE ILLVSTRI FEMINAE
Ut moram in dandis reliquiis, quas gloria uestra petit, faceremus, non uoluntate distulimus, sed praecedentis rei nos casus fecit ambigere. Deus autem omnipotens cordis uestri deuotionem intuens miraculorum signis admonentibus a uestra uos intentione fraudari non pertulit. Sed ideo desiderium uestrum modica uoluit dilatione differri, ut docentibus miraculis et amor uobis cresceret in ueneratione sanctorum et maior fieret exsultatio gaudiorum. Quia ergo in effectu postulate rei gloriae uestrae uota completa sunt, hortamur ut, cuius praedicatores colitis, eius sollicite mandata seruetis et, sicut religiosa deuotione terrena sanctorum honoribus loca construitis, sic quoque cum eis mansionem uobis procurare in caelestibus festinetis, quatenus et hic illos in omnibus adiutores et in futura mereamini habere uita consortes.
‘Gregory to Adeodata, illustris woman
That there was a delay in giving you the relics that your Glory seeks, did not happen willingly, but the occurrence of an earlier matter made us hesitate. But almighty God looked down on the devotion of your heart, and with the warning signs of miracles, He did not allow you to be cheated of your intention. But you wanted to put off your wish with a moderate delay, for the purpose that, as the miracles are evident, your love might grow in the veneration of the saints and exultation of your joys might become greater. And so, since the prayers of your Glory have been fulfilled in the outcome of the matter as requested, we exhort you to observe carefully the commandments of God, whose priests you cherish. Just as with religious devotion you construct earthly places to honour the saints, so also you hasten to look for a dwelling for yourself with them in Heaven, so that you may deserve to have them as your helpers in all things here, and as your partners in future life.’
Text: Norberg 1982, vol. 2, 866. Translation: Martyn 2004, vol. 3, 741, lightly modified.
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